(Contenido disponible en Español está marcado abajo)
Today is Juneteenth! Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States better known as Freedom Day. As such a time as this, it is a day that we celebrate the freedom of African Americans with emphasis on educating all Americans in cities across the country, people from all races, nationalities and religions reflecting on a time in history that will forever shape our past, as well as moving toward to the future to become a more inclusive and equitable society. We celebrate and stand in solidarity of this historical day aspiring to be more inclusive and being an ally for positive change in African American communities across the City of Chicago.
We’re closing out this final week of school by looking to the rainbow and exploring colors in nature.
Let’s go on a rainbow walk
(Disponible en español)
Celebrate all the colors of the rainbow by going on a color scavenger hunt! Download our ROYGBIV checklist in both English and Spanish as a pdf here then see how many of these colors you can spot in nature. Click here to pair this with a color walk for younger scientists.
Guiding Question: What color do you think we’ll see the most of? What color do you think we’ll see the least of? Where can we go to find these colors?
Story Time: “Little Green Frog”
Let’s keep exploring colors and nature with a reading of “Little Green Frog” by Ginger Swift. Click here to listen to Marjorie read this Story Time classic.
Teaching Tip: Story Time can be a great time for your child to ask questions, make observations, and more. Our educators have created this graphic organizer to help you explore story themes with your young reader. Click here to download it and use it for your favorite nature-themed story.
Moment of Wonder
There are a rainbow of colors to be discovered in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven! We miss being able to share the Nature Museum with you, and we look forward to welcoming you back as soon as we’re able to do so. In the meantime, click here to enjoy an extended moment of wonder in the Butterfly Haven.
Guiding Question: Think about the butterflies we’ve seen in the Butterfly Haven. What colors have you seen? How would you say those colors in English and Spanish?
Create a suncatcher!
Find inspiration in the colors and elements of nature, and incorporate them in your own suncatcher! Click here for the instructions, then be sure to share your creations with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Behind the Scenes
Our bug experts, Doug and Allen, are working to restore Baltimore checkerspot butterflies to Bluff Spring Fen. This week, we had some exciting news—the caterpillars have now pupated! Check out this gorgeous chrysalis. Our scientists are hoping to release the adults when they emerge in a week or two. Click here to learn more about that restoration project.
